Mechanics and other ground workers ask NMB to declare American Airlines and US Airways a ‘single transportation system’

The two unions that represent American Airlines and US Airways mechanics and some other ground workers said Wednesday they have asked the National Mediation Board to declare the two airlines a “single transportation system.”

The Transport Workers Union and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers have already agreed that they would jointly represent the mechanics, fleet service and stores workers they separately represent now.

The NMB application would recognize the two carriers as a single carrier, permitting the TWU-IAW alliance to take over as the bargaining representative for all the affected employees.

Next up would be a joint collective bargaining agreement that would replace the separate contracts at US Airways and American.

American spokesman Paul Flaningan called the joint filing “a positive step in the integration of our two airlines.”

TWU international president Harry Lombardo and IAM international president Tom Buffenbarger issued a joint statement:

“Today begins the next step in achieving the airline industry’s best labor agreements at the world’s largest airline. American Airlines has entered into an era of super-profits and it’s now time for our combined 30,000 members at the airline to secure the industry’s premier contracts.

“Our members, by pooling resources and uniting in solidarity, present the most formidable labor alliance in the airline industry. Executives and shareholders are profiting handsomely, and this alliance will ensure our members are also rewarded for their hard work and sacrifice.”

The NMB had already issued a single-carrier ruling requested by the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (American) and Association of Flight Attendants (US Airways), and as requested by the Communications Workers of America (US Airways) for airport and reservations agents.

In the latter case, the NMB has scheduled an election Aug. 15-Sept. 15 to see if agents at the two airlines want to have a union and if they want it to be the CWA. The CWA in 2013 lost an effort to organize American’s agents.

The Allied Pilots Association, which represents AA pilots, has asked the NMB for a single-carrier ruling as well. However, US Airline Pilots Association, which represents US Airways pilots, is fighting such a designation at this time.

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Terry Maxon writes about items of interest to travelers and the aviation community.